The big political stories of November prepare to take the runway.

News Stories
The May primary election jump-started seven political story lines that promised to grab voters’ attention in the general election this November. Since Labor Day weekend marks the traditional sta ...
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The Democratic Senator sounds off on dysfunction (the Senate’s), Obama, Afghanistan and his party’s prospects.

Q & A
When Jeff Merkley began his rookie session last year in the Senate, all looked bright for his fellow Democrats. The Democrats had huge majorities in the 111th Congress and were riding Barack Obama&rsq ...
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Calling all unemployed reporters.

News Stories
Metro announced last week it wants to pay a reporter $24 an hour to cover its meetings and events and then provide accounts, including photos and perhaps video, on its website. “I can’t im ...
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Food Reviews & Stories
If you’re looking for a tasty Cajun meal without flying a couple thousand miles to Louisiana, this candle-lit Irvington eatery is your place. A small plate of poached gulf shrimp or the boudin sausage croquettes are both good places to start from the appetizers menu. But there’s no need
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Food Reviews & Stories
This candlelit corner of Hawthorne Boulevard makes for a romantic date night if you’re not worried about your wallet. The sautéed sea scallops saying hello to fennel and grapefruit in your mouth is the perfect start to the evening. In a meatier mood? Try the tender lamb Milanese with to
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Food Reviews & Stories
Whether you’re dining outside on the back patio or inside this spare, high-ceilinged space that was once a power substation, it’s hard to go wrong when you order in this Thai restaurant. Begin off the appetizers list by trying the grilled sausage in cabbage wraps served with ginger and r
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Portland Police concede mistakes in Gore investigation.

News Stories
A masseuse’s detailed account last year of her encounter with Al Gore in a downtown hotel suite should have been investigated more thoroughly, Portland police now say. The woman’s account ...
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In big sports news other than the World Cup….

News Stories
The Pac-10 Conference is dead. The athletic conference that for 32 years has defined major college sports in this part of the world assisted in its own suicide last week when it accepted Colorado from ...
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Pundit pile-on!

Books
Topic sentence: Glenn Beck is a boorish, weepy, fear-mongering, conspiracy-touting demagogue who will demonize any progressive person or group for ratings. If you’re a reader of this newspaper, ...
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Love among the longshoremen.

Books
Decades before Seattle became known for Microsoft and Starbucks, the city was a muscular place where working men labored hard. Peter Donahue’s Clara and Merritt (Wordcraft, 285 pages, $14) captu ...
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